As I see it, there is only one way for us gun enthusiasts to win the 2nd amendment battle, concealed carry rights, and all the other gun issues that have been discussed at length in this very valuable and educational forum. Although electing GWB was a great victory, it is naïve to assume that we are even close to getting out of the woods. The anti-gun liberal forces in this country are not going to be silenced by the loss of the election. Right now, they have an incredibly powerful weapon to use against us, that being the liberal media. It is this media which sways public opinion. However, the media need not always be assumed to espouse liberal viewpoints.
What I propose is this, utilizing the media to present pro-gun viewpoints, and in a positive manner so that public opinion becomes favorable, (fight fire with fire). Which media and how would it be used? Television, we are a nation of boob tube watchers. We will watch anything on TV, regardless of how stupid or tasteless the programming is. Therefore I say give the public something to watch that promotes our side.
I would propose a TV program on the format of America’s Most Wanted, with dramatizations of true stories of American citizens who successfully defended themselves with their own firearms. Screen writers would have a field day. With a million or so of these incidents occurring every year, there should be no shortage of good material to write about. I’m not sure how others feel, but my favorite section in the all the gun magazines is the section that has these kinds of stories. We all like to read about and see on the tube the good guy/gal who wins out over evil. Well, that is happening for real routinely all over the country. Why not a TV program that shows that happening? And since the public likes violence, (regardless of whether we like it or not, violence sells), the writers could press the envelope as far as they want.
Perhaps short interviews with the real citizens could be used, with questions like, “How do you feel about gun control now?” or, “Why didn’t you just call 911?”
This kind of a program would have all the makings of a prime time TV mega hit, excitement, drama, realism, Good triumphs over Evil, and yes, violence. Some element of sex mixed with violence could be included (thereby pushing the program’s ratings through the roof). All that would be needed is an incident where a pretty college co-ed defended herself against a rapist.
Controversial? You bet! But since when are we gun people afraid of controversy? It can be made to work in our favor.
As far as sponsors are concerned, the major gun manufacturers are already doing TV advertising. I’ve seen it on American Shooter, talk about preaching to the choir! Somebody needs to tell the gun manufactures that the key to success in any business lies in expanding their market. In American business, it is, “Grow or die!”
I personally believe that we can elect all the pro-gun people we want to all levels of government, we can boycott everybody who supports the opposition, but without public opinion in our favor, we eventually will loose, perhaps through legal or economic channels. We must turn public opinion in our favor, and I believe the TV program could do just that.
Anybody got any contacts in the TV industry?
Shooters, what say you?
Bob Duarte
Madison, AL
What I propose is this, utilizing the media to present pro-gun viewpoints, and in a positive manner so that public opinion becomes favorable, (fight fire with fire). Which media and how would it be used? Television, we are a nation of boob tube watchers. We will watch anything on TV, regardless of how stupid or tasteless the programming is. Therefore I say give the public something to watch that promotes our side.
I would propose a TV program on the format of America’s Most Wanted, with dramatizations of true stories of American citizens who successfully defended themselves with their own firearms. Screen writers would have a field day. With a million or so of these incidents occurring every year, there should be no shortage of good material to write about. I’m not sure how others feel, but my favorite section in the all the gun magazines is the section that has these kinds of stories. We all like to read about and see on the tube the good guy/gal who wins out over evil. Well, that is happening for real routinely all over the country. Why not a TV program that shows that happening? And since the public likes violence, (regardless of whether we like it or not, violence sells), the writers could press the envelope as far as they want.
Perhaps short interviews with the real citizens could be used, with questions like, “How do you feel about gun control now?” or, “Why didn’t you just call 911?”
This kind of a program would have all the makings of a prime time TV mega hit, excitement, drama, realism, Good triumphs over Evil, and yes, violence. Some element of sex mixed with violence could be included (thereby pushing the program’s ratings through the roof). All that would be needed is an incident where a pretty college co-ed defended herself against a rapist.
Controversial? You bet! But since when are we gun people afraid of controversy? It can be made to work in our favor.
As far as sponsors are concerned, the major gun manufacturers are already doing TV advertising. I’ve seen it on American Shooter, talk about preaching to the choir! Somebody needs to tell the gun manufactures that the key to success in any business lies in expanding their market. In American business, it is, “Grow or die!”
I personally believe that we can elect all the pro-gun people we want to all levels of government, we can boycott everybody who supports the opposition, but without public opinion in our favor, we eventually will loose, perhaps through legal or economic channels. We must turn public opinion in our favor, and I believe the TV program could do just that.
Anybody got any contacts in the TV industry?
Shooters, what say you?
Bob Duarte
Madison, AL
